Beneath the Alpha's Moon

Liam’s P.O.V.

The buttery scent of popcorn filled the small kitchen as I emptied the freshly popped kernels into a bowl. The rhythmic hum of the microwave had faded, replaced by the distant murmur of the television from the living room. Mai had stayed behind, flipping through channels, probably looking for something ridiculous for us to watch.

I smiled to myself. Movie nights had become our thing. Something normal. Something safe.

But when I stepped back into the living room, my smile froze.

Mai was sitting rigidly on the couch, her silver eyes locked onto the television. The remote was clenched tightly in her hand, her knuckles white from the pressure. Her entire body was stiff, like a predator sensing danger.

And then, in the flickering light of the TV screen, I saw it.

My face.

Her face.

Missing Persons.

A reward. A huge one.

My breath caught in my throat as my eyes darted to the name flashing across the screen.